Driving exam to relocate in July

Thursday

Jun 20, 2013 at 2:35 PM

Lack of air conditioning forces temporary relocation of exam center to City Hall

Sarah Morris

Stuttgart’s future drivers are already experiencing a reroute.

Examiner Brenda Phillips, of the Arkansas State Police Troop E, said, starting July 1, the written exam and driving test would be administered temporarily at Stuttgart City Hall, located at 304 S. Maple St.

Both the written exam and driving test are presently given in the Arkansas County Northern District Courtroom in Stuttgart; however, no air conditioning has forced Phillips to seek an alternative location.

Phillips, an examiner for 28 years, visits Stuttgart each Monday to meet with those seeking a driver’s license or CDL. The written exam starts at 8 a.m. with driving tests starting at 10 a.m.

On average, Phillips typically sees about 25 people per week. She emphasized that the change is only temporary until the air-conditioning is fixed in a few months. Stuttgart Police Chief Mike Smith said the units were disconnected following problems with pigeon feces.

The problem will eventually be addressed during an overhaul of the 514 S. Main St. building housing both the district court and the Stuttgart Police Department. Smith said the renovation is expected to start in mid-August or September. Construction is estimated to take six months once started.

The city has $800,000 slated for the project with funding possible through the improvement bond approved in February 2012. Smith said they are still clearing up minor problems in finalizing plans while staying within budget.

The renovation is anticipated to heighten security by moving dispatch from the back, or north side, of the building to the front. Presently, residents entering the building have access to the entire building.

The dispatcher, police secretary and district court clerk would each have a bulletproof window with a drawer to interact with visitors seeking information or wanting to make a report. Visitors would also have to be buzzed in to go further into the building.

Two reporting rooms would be added to the west side of the lobby, while public restrooms would be added to the east side. Access to the Arkansas County Northern District Court would be through a side entrance on the east side of the building facing Main Street. The courtroom would also be enlarged.

The City of Stuttgart is working with architect Bob Shelley, of Cabot, and AB General Construction Inc. is the construction manager. Once construction is started, city officials said business would continue as usual at the building, although dispatchers may need to be temporarily relocated.

Adjustments would be made as needed. Further information on these changes will be in upcoming editions of the Stuttgart Daily Leader as announced.